An examination of power in a triadic model of parent–child–pediatrician relationships related to early childhood gender development

Abstract

In this paper, the authors introduce the Triadic Model of Pediatric Care, an innovative conceptual framework for pediatric practice with transgender and gender diverse children. The Triadic Model of Pediatric Care consists of three experts—pediatricians, primary caregiver(s), and children—who each possess unique insights, knowledge, and decision‐making power. This model guides pediatricians to provide gender‐affirming care that acknowledges children as experts of their own experience and worthy of bodily autonomy, while also working to ensure primary caregiver(s) have the information and support necessary to provide a safe and nurturing developmental environment for their child. The authors provide a recommendation for how the Triadic Model of Pediatric Care might be applied in a pediatric healthcare setting and conclude with a summary of the model's implications, limitations, and future directions.

Nurse experiences of partnership nursing when caring for children with long‐term conditions and their families: A qualitative systematic review

“…The lack of evidence or acknowledgement of a triadic child–parent–nurse partnership within the studies is cause for concern. Triadic models of care exist in other areas of health care (De Civita & Dobkin, 2004; Eull et al., 2023; Lenne et al., 2023; Williams et al., 2022). These models have a focus on building a partnership that uses shared decision‐making as well as understanding the unique needs a child may have due to their age, maturity or level of competence.…”

“…Parents were often seen by nursing staff as overwhelmed, especially in the first few months of a new diagnosis and required their own emotional support, care and education (Rodgers et al., 2018). Nurses may struggle to navigate the need to provide care to parents as a secondary patient as well as seeing the parent as another form of carer or potential gatekeeper who has decision‐making responsibilities and should be consulted in all aspects of care (Lenne et al., 2023). Empowering parents to become successful carers of their children is a crucial responsibility of nursing staff, as high levels of empowerment were seen as confidence‐boosting and promoted feelings of mutual trust and respect, consistent with previous research (Barratt et al., 2021; Brødsgaard et al., 2019).…”